Saturday, November 17, 2012

MR. CHURCHILL'S SECRETARY

Author:  Susan Elia MacNeal
Genre: Historical Fiction,
Maggie Hope Series #1
Published:  2012
Personal Rating: 3.5/5 (good)
Format: eBook
Yearly Count:  95


From NetGalley:

London, 1940. Winston Churchill has just been sworn in, war rages across the Channel, and the threat of a Blitz looms larger by the day. But none of this deters Maggie Hope. She graduated at the top of her college class and possesses all the skills of the finest minds in British intelligence, but her gender qualifies her only to be the newest typist at No. 10 Downing Street. Her indefatigable spirit and remarkable gifts for code breaking, though, rival those of even the highest men in government, and Maggie finds that working for the prime minister affords her a level of clearance she could never have imagined—and opportunities she will not let pass. In troubled, deadly times, with air-raid sirens sending multitudes underground, access to the War Rooms also exposes Maggie to the machinations of a menacing faction determined to do whatever it takes to change the course of history.

Ensnared in a web of spies, murder, and intrigue, Maggie must work quickly to balance her duty to King and Country with her chances for survival. And when she unravels a mystery that points toward her own family’s hidden secrets, she’ll discover that her quick wits are all that stand between an assassin’s murderous plan and Churchill himself.

This read what I envision a grown-up Nancy Drew novel would read like - obviously with placing her in England during the 40s.  I liked it, but would have liked a little more sophistication and depth.  The characters were interesting, but they felt a little on the immature side.  I'm curious as to where the series will go and will be reading Princess Elizabeth's Spy (Series #2) with the hope of an even better outcome.  





My thanks go to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with this eGalley.        

8 comments:

  1. I have a feeling my mother would love this.

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    1. Bermudaonion ~ It was good, but I prefer Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series. I have hopes that this one will get better as it matures.

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  2. OMG!! You mentioned Nancy Drew and that is exactly what I thought when I read this!! Nancy is the first person that came to my mind. I really really liked this one and the second book. I have the first MD but haven't read it.

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  3. I started it, and found the same lack of depth, but I do plan to pick it up again, if only for the time period and of course, Mr. C. himself. :<)

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    Replies
    1. Nan ~ I didn't know anything about "Mr. C." so his role was interesting to me. Hope you like it better the second time around. :)

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  4. Hmmm, if you and Nan both felt it lacking, maybe I won't bother. Or maybe I'll give the audio a try.

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    1. Les ~ I think you'll think the same as us. It's good, but nothing gripping. I really hope the second one is better. I would love to love this series.

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